FC Dallas vs. Whitecaps FC blog: love ‘em & hate ‘em

Whitecaps 0-1 FC Dallas

The Vancouver Whitecaps suffered their fifth consecutive defeat, losing to FC Dallas, a team that is basically made of glass. FC Dallas is now trailing the Whitecaps by one point for the final playoff spot, but the ‘Caps have one game in hand.

Love ‘Em

11/11, Rennie!

An excellent starting Xl selected by Martin Rennie, and for the most part they all did their jobs. Brad Knighton deservedly so got another start between the sticks, and YP Lee was rested and back again.

Home Sweet Home

After a month, and four matches away from home, the Whitecaps will finally return to BC Place, and will stick around for four games before ending the season in Utah against Real Salt Lake.

The road hasn’t been kind to Vancouver this season, as they’ve posted a 3-11-3 record on the road, including 6 straight loses.

The Whitecaps have done an excellent job of creating BC Place into a fortress, and they must hold that on this four game home stand.

Almost Ready

Omar Salgado, the Vancouver Whitecaps first ever draft pick and the MLS ranked 23rd best player under 24, is almost ready to return to the pitch. He broke his foot in USA u-20 duty in June, but was really looking good in his new role as a wing player in Martin Rennie’s attack.

With Dane Richardspacking it in before he literally packs it in and goes to England, and Camilo trying to do things that he can’t do (and not doing the things he can do, effectively) ‘Gado’s return could spark a desperate Vancouver attack.

Hate ’em

C’mon, Man!

Four more. Four more yellows on Saturday night, moving the season total to 47. Half of those are stupid, discipline lacking yellows. Highlighting that is Gershon Koffie’s boneheaded move in the loss, where he rolled the ball away from a Dallas player prior to their free kick.

FC Dallas is now trailing the Whitecaps by one point for the final playoff spot

What are you going to gain by doing that? It is a worrisome trend that is happening, and Martin Rennie needs to make his veterans, Jay DeMerit, Kenny Millerand YP Leestep up and make the other players accountable for their actions.

Their net is down there, lads

FC Dallas scored a heartbreaker in the 95th minute on Saturday, but it could’ve been 3 or 4-0 by that point in time. Vancouver is a better team than Dallas and one of the more talented teams in the MLS. Their problem is letting off the gas and letting the other team do what they want.

It cost the ‘Caps a goal against Real Salt Lake in August, and it cost them 2 valuable points again on Saturday. In an attack that has Dane Richardsand Darren Mattocks, two of the quickest players in the MLS, there is no reason to let off the gas.

Make Richards and Mattocks test the opposing defender’s stamina.

If this trend doesn’t break, they won’t have an opportunity to let off the gas in the playoffs.

They won’t be there.

The Vancouver Whitecaps return to the pitch on Sunday, September 23rd in a home match against the Colorado Rapids.